Dear Participant, We are looking forward to welcoming you to the 1st Latin America Congress on Controversies to Consensus in Diabetes, Obesity and Hypertension (CODHy) which will be hosted on March 11-14, 2010 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Venue Address Hilton Hotel Buenos Aires Macacha Guemes 351, Buenos Aires, Argentina C1106BKG Tel: 54-11-4891-0000 Fax: 54-11-4891-0001 Arrival from the airport to the Congress venue There are several options to go to and from the two metropolitan area airports: Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini (Ezeiza) International flights, located 35 kilometers (21 miles) from the center of the city of Buenos Aires. Aeroparque Jorge Newbery Domestic flights and flights to/from Uruguay and other locations; located 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) north of the center of the city, on Costanera Avenue (North Riverside). By Taxi A taxi should not cost more than prices shown below. From Aeropuerto Internacional Ministro Pistarini (Ezeiza) $20 USD per person (shared taxi carrying 2 to 3 passengers) $40 USD single occupancy Aeroparque Jorge Newbery $8 USD per person (shared taxi carrying 2 to 3 passengers) $15 USD single occupancy CODHy Registration at the Hilton Hotel   The Registration Desk will operate during the following hours: Date Opening Hours Wednesday, March 10  16:00-19:00 Thursday, March 11  07:30-20:00 Friday, March 12  07:30-18:00 Saturday, March 13 07:30-18:00 Sunday, March 14  08:30-12:30 Please register upon arrival in order to receive your Congress kit containing the CODHy program and abstract book, your personal name badge, invitations, etc.  Please remember to wear your name badge to all Congress activities and social events. Scientific Program A very exciting and diverse program has been prepared for you, and we are looking forward to your active participation at the various sessions. For the updated program, please visit the Congress website: http://www.codhy.com/LA/2010/default.aspx  Welcome Reception All registered participants and registered accompanying persons are invited to the Welcome Reception, which will take place on Thursday, March 11 from 19:30 to 21:00. Invitations are included in your Congress kit. Lunches Buffet lunch will be served for Congress participants in the Exhibition Area on Friday, March 12, between 12:30-13:30 and Saturday, March 13, between 12:30-13:30. Invited Speakers Presentations Speakers and Oral Presenters are invited to visit the Speakers’ Preview Room prior to their lecture and upload their presentation on the morning of the day of their scheduled presentation. Poster Presentations Please check the Congress Program for the poster board number assigned to you. Posters should be mounted from Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 19:30 and removed by Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 12:30. All poster authors are requested to be present near their posters on the day they are scheduled during the Guided Poster Tour on Friday, March 12 between 12:30-14:20 and on Saturday, March 13 between 12:30-14:20, as well as during coffee and lunch breaks. All registered participants are invited to view this important section!   CME Accreditation Please note once on-site that you have you CME Accreditation form in your Congress kit.  In order to receive your accreditation points, please submit the completed Serono Symposia CME Accreditation form to the registration desk before the end of the Congress. Your CME Accreditation Certificate will be send to you directly. CODHy Feedback Form Please note once on-site that you have a feedback form in your Congress bag.  We would greatly appreciate hearing your comments.  Once completed, this form may be handed in to the registration desk. Exhibition Opening Hours Date Opening Hours Thursday, March 11  19:30-21:00 (Welcome Reception) Friday, March 12  08:30-18:00 Saturday, March 13 08:30-18:00 Sunday, March 14  08:30-12:30 Visas An official invitation letter can be issued via the Congress website. However, this invitation implies no obligation, financial or otherwise, by the Congress. Contact the embassy or consulate of Argentina in your home city to confirm if you require a visa to enter the country. Neighboring countries (Chile, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil) citizens do not need to have a passport, they can enter with their ID's. Currency, banks and money exchange The currency in Argentina is the "peso" and it is subdivided in 100 cents. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels as well as shopping malls. Most businesses, stores, restaurants and bars accept credit cards, but due to the bad economy and inflation it is possible that there is a 15 to 20% surcharge for credit cards payments. We suggest that, before paying with a credit card, you ask and confirm if you will get surcharged. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club are the most widely accepted. Dress Code Informal for all occasions  Climate Buenos Aires has a mild and warm climate throughout the year. The Summer is considered from December 21 to March 20 with average temperature: 23ºC (76ºF) Professional Congress Organizer Comtec Congress Management is the initiator and the official Congress Organizer of the 1st Latin America Congress on Controversies to Consensus in Diabetes, Obesity and Hypertension (CODHy). Comtec works internationally with offices in Barcelona and Shanghai, offering solutions for medical, corporate and governmental meetings. For more information, please visit www.comtecmed.com See you in Buenos Aires! CODHy CONGRESS SECRETARIAT Tel: +972 3 566 6166 Fax: +972 3 566 6177 E-mail: codhyLA@codhy.com